Air line lubricating device



DCC- 28, 1954 s. F. sTRr-:lcKER ET AL. 2,698,064

AIR LINE LUBRICATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 17, 1952 United States Patent Oif' AIR LINE LUBRICATING DEVICE Seymour F. Strecker, John J. Oros, andJohn Skidmore,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Air-Mite Devices, Inc., Chicago, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application January 17, 1952, Serial No. 266,852

7 Claims. (Cl. 184-55) 'Ihis invent-ion is concerned with -an airlubricating device of the character designed to 'be connected into acompressed air line supplying pneumatically operated tools and whichautomatically provides lubricant to 4be carried through the line to thetool for lubricating same.

Reference will be made to our co-pending application Serial No. 262,454,tiled December 19, 1951, and entitled Air Line Lubricating Device, topoint out certain broad principles .of operation common to lthisinvention.

In the co-pending application above referred to there was described andillustrated an air line lubricating device in which the lubricant isdispersed in the air stream in the form of a finely divided spray as`ditferentiated from prior devices operating on the principle ofdropping the liquid lubricant into the air stream where it is intendedto be broken into a ne aerosol or spray which passes with the air intothe tool. The device described had novel atomizing means for breakingthe lubricant into a tine spray prior to its being fed into the airstream and means for controlling the amount of spray entering the airstream. This invention is concerned with a device in which the principleof operation is the same as that of the device disclosed in saidco-pending application.

Many of the advantages attributed to the device disclosed in saidco-pending application also may be attributed to the herein invention.In addition, the `invention herein described is characterized by the provision ,of an air line lubricating device which is' more simple and.economical in construction, which operates in an efcient manner tointroduce lubricant directly into the air stream of the device in theform of a iinely dispersed spray, and which is provided with novelatomizing means.

An important object of the invention lies in the provision of a deviceof the character described in which the air chamber normally presentabove the lubricant reservoir is utilized as a part of the atomizingmeans for withdrawing fluid lubricant from the reservoir and thereafterreducing same to a inely, divided spray which is introduced into the airstream of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction inwhich an extremely simple vatomizing device is provided which ,sprayslubricant directly into the air stream.5 thereby providing a highlyefficient lubricator for the air line.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a lubricatingdevice in which there is provided a reervoir having an air space abovethe reservoir, and there .is a vpassageway from the upstream side of theair line to the air-space, andthete is an atomizing nozzle whichcommunicates between the said air space andthe downstream side of theair line, and saidfatomizing device adapted to withdraw lubricant fromthe reservoir and atomize the same directly into the line.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a lubricatingdevice as described in the previously set forth object in which the airpressure for operating the atomizing device .may be varied to vary theamount of lubricant atomized into the air line.

Many other objects will yoccur to the yskilled 'artisan as descriptionof the invention proceeds. In connection 'therewith is illustrated `avpreferred lembodiment of our `invention :and details and manner ofconstruction and usethereof set forth.

ln drawings wherein like reference characters have Patented Dec. 28,1954 ICC been used to indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral parts thereof:

i Fig. 1 .is a top plan view of the device embodying the mventlon.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken through the said device along the line2-2 of Fig. 1 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the device along the line 3 3of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through the atomizing means .of thedevice along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and in the direction indicated.

The device embodying the invention is intended to be connected into acompressed air line between the source of air and the pneumatic tool sothat it will operate only when the tool is operated. In this sense, Itheoperation of the device is automatic. In addition, there is providednovel atomizing means adapted to withdraw liquid lubricant from thereservoir and thoroughly to atomize same yprior to introducing same intothe air stream of the device. The atomizing means is disposed in the airchamber normally present above the lubricant 4in said reservoir andlconstruction is provided for diverting air from the air stream into thesaid chamber and through the atomizer for creating a low pressure areathereat which causes liquid lubricant to be withdrawn through theatomizer and reduced to a finely divided spray upon leaving theatomizer. In addition, the atomizer is so arranged as to permit thespray to be introduced directly into the air stream of the device.

Referring now to the drawings, the .air line lubricating deviceembodying our invention is designated generally by the referencecharacter 10. Same includes a bowl 11 which may be made from somestrong, transparent material such as plastic or glass, so that lubricant12 contained therein may be visible. The bowl 11 is secured to a head 13in a recess 14 provided on Vits undersurface into which the upper lip ofthe bowl 11 is seated. The lip is formed with an overhanging flange 16and there may be a suitable gasket 17 between the ange 16 and the seat.An annular ring 18 engages the bottom Vof the head 13 inan edge-to-edgejuncture 19 and a shoul-v der 20 Vformed on the inside of the ring 18engages beneath the flange 16 `for securing the bowl 11 to the head 13.Suitable cap screws 21 extend through the head 13 at spaced positionsthereabout and threadedly engage the ring 18 tightly to hold the -device1t) in assembly.

The upper surface of the head is provided with a diametrically extendingcylindrical ridge 22 which may be and preferably is integral with thehead, A central pas'- sageway 23 is provided in the ridge 22 throughoutits length and transverse of thehead 13 and also perpendicular to theaxis of the bowl 11. In the operation of the device 10, the `normalposition of the cup is with its axis vertical as shown in the drawings.

The passageway 23 is connected with the air line 24 in a well-knownmanner. The left hand end of the pas'- sageway 23 is threaded at 25 `andthe line 24 is connected thereto by an ordinaryipressure coupling26. Theright hand end of the passageway 23 is threaded at 27 and is connectedto the air line by the pressure coupling 2S. The direction of flow ofairthrough'the device is from left to right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. Aswill be further explained, the device is so constructed that sameoperates properly when so associated with the line 24. Consequently, tovinsure proper association of parts for proper direction of air owthrough the device, l provide indicia which may consist of an arrow 29on the top of the ridge .22, stamped or otherwise formed inthe metalfrom which the device is made.

lIn order to till the .bowl ,11 without necessitating disconnection ofthe entire device Vfrom the air line 24, a filler plug 70is:screw-threaded into an opening 71 in the top ofthe head 13, whichopening :communicates with the ybowl 1=1.

The construction of the-device as thus^fardescribed is conventional andof-thetype described and-,shown in our said copending application. It isnot -intended to -be limited thereto by wayofgsize or proportion of theparts as minor changes'therein couldoccur tothe-skilled artisan withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the objectives therebyaccomplished.

To accomplish the advantages attributed to this invention, we providemeans hereinafter described to withdraw fluid lubricant 12 from the bowl11 and reduce same to a nely dispersed spray before supplying same tothe passageway 23. In proximity to the left hand side or upstream end ofthe passageway 23 is provided a vertical duct 31 which communicatesbetween the passageway 23 and the air chamber 30 normally present in thebowl 11 above the lubricant 12. In proximity to the right hand side ordownstream end of the passageway 23 is provided a second vertical duct32 which is threaded. Screw threaded into said duct 32 is a nozzle 33having a central chamber 34 therein, which chamber communicates at itstop end with the passageway 23. The opposite end of the chamber 34 isclosed by the bottom wall 35, having an opening 36 therein. Mounted inthe opening 36 is a short tube 37 having a portion 38 depending from thewall 35 into the chamber 30 and an upper portion 39 extending up intothe chamber 35.

In the nozzle 33 between the upper portion 39 and the wall 35 it isintended that there be at least one opening which serves to connect thechamber 34 with the air chamber 30 above said lubricant. In theembodiment shown there are provided three such openings designated 40.

The nozzle 33 is formed of hexagonal stock 41 to facilitate the securingof the said nozzle in the duct 32. It will be understood that the numberof openings 40 need not be limited to a number more or less than thenumber shown herein, it only being necessary that the chamber 34communicate adequately with the air chamber 30 in the bowl 11, so thatthere will be a rapid passage of air past the tube end 39.

It is intended by the construction shown to withdraw fluid lubricantfrom the bowl into the atomizing nozzle of the device and atomize sameprior to introducing same into the passageway 23. Secured over the lowerportion 38 of the tube 37 is an elongate preferably transparent tube 42having its free end 43 adapted to be disposed in the body of iluidlubricant 12. Connection between the atomizing nozzle and the lubricant12 is thus established by means of the conduit 42. The operation of thedevice is as follows: Air entering the device from the left hand sidethereof is diverted through the duct 31 into the air chamber 30 abovethe lubricant 12. The compressed air will create a state of increasedpressure above the lubricant 12 which will force air through theopenings 40 into the chamber 34 of the nozzle 33. The increased pressurein the chamber 30 also may cause a force to be exerted downwardly uponthe lubricant 12. The air passing into the chamber 34 will pass over theupper portion 39 of the tube 37 creating a low pressure area thereatthereby causing fluid lubricant to be drawn up into the tube 42, to passout of the open end 39 and be atomized thereat. The atomized spray willthen pass directly into the passageway 23 through the open end of thenozzle 33.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 there may be seen the regulating meansprovided for controlling the amount of spray fed into the passageway 23.A screw-threaded opening 44 is provided in the ridge 22 at a pointbetween the upstream duct 31 and downstream duct 32 which is adapted toreceive therein the threaded stud 45. The upper end of the stud 45 has ahead 46 and the lower end is adapted to extend into the passageway 23and across same to pass into the upper end of the threaded opening 47 inthe head. The lower end of the opening 47 is closed by means of thethreaded plug 48. By manipulating the head 46, the stud 45 mav beselectively disposed in the passageway 23 closing off a portion thereofor all of it as may be desired. Air is supplied to the downstream end ofthe line by maintaining the upstream end at constant pressure. Eachcycle of the pneumatic tool causes air to pass into the downstream sideof the passageway 23 either past the stud 45 or through the duct 31. Theamount of air passed into the chamber 30 through duct 31 may beregulated bv varying the position of stud 45 in the passageway 23thereby permitting the amount of lubricant spray supplied to thepassageway to be controlled. I provide a locknut 49 on the stud 45adapted to engage against the ridge 22 in the recess 50 and a gasket 51between the ridge 22 and lock nut 49. The position at which the stud 45is disposed in passageway 23 may be iixed by locking the nut 49 on thestud 45.

In connection with the operation of the regulating valve constructionabove described, the tube 42 preferably is formed of a flexible,transparent material, such as plastic. This enables the amount oflubricant drawn into or through tube 42 to be observed. With the stud 45withdrawn to leave passageway 23 wide open, there may be a smalldiversion of air passing through duct 31 into the chamber 30, butprobably too small in quantity to cause lubricant to be drawn up intothe tube 42. The stud 45 may then be turned to extend into thepassageway 23 blocking off a portion thereof thereby causing a greaterdiversion of air into the chamber 30. As the stud 45 is thus adjusted,the observer may note the lubricant rising in the tube until acontinuous flow is observed during operation of the tool. The user isthereby able to determine the amount of adjustment in the position ofthe stud 45 in the passageway 23 which is required to obtain desiredquantities of lubricant spray supplied to the passageway. Thetransparent tube 42 constitutes also indicating means in the bowl 11 forobserving, at least approximately, the amount of fluid lubricantsupplied to the passageway 23 as the regulating means is adjusted.

It is believed that the invention has been sufficiently described inorder to enable practice thereof by persons skilled in the art to whichsame appertains. It is desired to reiterate that considerable variationis possible in minor details of the device without in any way departingfrom the spirit of the invention, and it is desired to be limited in thescope of the invention only by the claims hereto appended.

We claim:

l. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into a compressed airline for a pneumatic tool including a head having a central passagewaytherethrough for connection into said line, a bowl secured to said headconstituting a reservoir for a body of fluid lubricant and means in thehead for withdrawing lubricant from said body and thereafter reducingsame to a nely divided spray, said spray being supplied to thepassageway to be carried'to the tool, said last mentioned meansincluding an atomizer having an air intake in the bowl above the body offluid lubricant, a discharge opening in the central passageway, a fluidconduit connecting with the body below its normal surface, and meansconnecting the upstream side of the central passageway with the bowlabove the body of fluid and an air regulating device in said passagewayfor controlling the amount of spray supplied to said passageway.

2. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into a compressed airline for a pneumatic tool including a head having a central passagewaytherethrough for connection into said line, a bowl secured to said headconstituting a reservoir for a body of uid lubricant and means in thehead for withdrawing lubricant from said body and thereafter reducingsame to a finely divided spray, said spray being supplied to thepassageway to be carried to the tool. said last mentioned meansincluding an atomizer having an air intake in the bowl above the body ofuid lubricant, a discharge opening in the central passageway, a fluidconduit connecting with the body below its normal surface, and meansconnecting the upstream side of the central passageway with the bowlabove the body of fluid and an air regulating device for controlling theamount of spray supplied to said passageway, comprising a manuallyoperated valve mounted on the head and having a valve stud movable insaid passageway for controlling the amount of air passing therethrough.

3. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into an air lineoperating pneumatic tools comprising a bowl adapted to contain a body offluid lubricant and having an air chamber above the lubricant, a head onthe bowl having an air passageway therethrough for connection into saidline, said head having a duct communicating between the upstream end ofthe passageway and said chamber and a second duct having one end thereofcommunicating with the downstream end of the passageway, an atomizerarranged between the opposite end of the second duct' and said airchamber having an air intake in the chamber and including a uid conduithaving its lower end disposed in the body of lubricant and its upper endsecured to the atomizer, said upstream duct arranged to have airentering the passageway diverted therethrough into the air chamber forincreasing the pressure of the air therein and through said air intakepast the upper end of the conduit so as to draw lubricant therethroughand atomize the same, and manually operable valve means in thepassageway disposed between the ducts for controlling the amount of airbeing diverted.

4. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into an air lineoperating pneumatic tools comprising a bowl adapted to contain a body ofuid lubricant and having an air chamber above the lubricant, a head onthe bowl having an air passageway therethrough for connection into saidline, said head having a duct communicating between the upstream end ofthe passageway and said chamber and a second duct having one end thereofcommunicating with the downstream end of the passageway, an atomizerarranged between the opposite end of the second duct and said airchamber having an air intake in the chamber and including a iluidconduit having its lower end disposed in the body of lubricant and itsupper end secured to the atomizer, said upstream duct arranged to haveair entering the passageway diverted therethrough into the air chamberfor increasing the pressure of the air therein and through said airintake past the upper end of the conduit so as to draw lubricanttherethrough and atomize the same and manually operable valve means inthe passageway disposed between the ducts for controlling the amount ofair being diverted, said bowl and conduit being transparent whereby topermit the uid lubricant being drawn through the conduit to be observedas the said valve means is adjusted.

5. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into an air lineoperating pneumatic tools comprising a bowl adapted to contain uidlubricant and having an air chamber above the lubricant, a head on thebowl having an air passageway therethrough for connection into saidline, a nozzle secured to the head opening into the downstream end ofsaid passageway and having an air intake in said chamber, a uid conduitbetween the nozzle and the lubricant below the normal level thereof,said conduit having an outlet in said nozzle spaced from the air intake,and means connecting the upstream end of the passageway with saidchamber for forcing air in the chamber past said outlet so as to causefluid lubricant to be drawn therethrough and reduced to a nely dispersedspray, said spray being supplied directly to the passageway, said meanscomprising a duct in the head between the upstream end of the passagewayand said chamber, said duct arranged to have air entering saidpassageway diverted therethrough into said chamber for increasing thepressure of air therein sutlicient to force said air through the airintake past said outlet and manually operable valve means in thepassageway between said duct and nozzle for controlling the amount ofair being diverted.

6. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into a compressed airline for a pneumatic tool including a head having a central passagewaytherethrough for connection into said line, a bowl secured to said headconstituting a reservoir for a body of tluid lubricant and having an airchamber above the lubricant, a duct in said head having an outletcommunicating with the downstream end of the passageway and a nozzle inthe duct connecting to the air chamber arranged to withdraw lubricantfrom the said body and supply same to said passageway as a nely dividedspray to be carried to said tool, including an air intake in the nozzleopening from said air chamber, a conduit having its lower end disposedbelow the normal level of lubricant and its upper end spaced from saidair intake and producing a spray in said nozzle prior to the outlet ofsaid duct into said passageway, and a second duct connecting theupstream end of the passageway with said air chamber for diverting airfrom the passageway into the air chamber and thence into the air intakeof the nozzle, the said air passing the upper end of the conduit andcreating a low pressure area thereat so as to draw lubricant up theconduit and atomize the same in the nozzle.

7. A device as described in claim 6 in which there is a manuallyoperable valve mounted in the head arranged to control the amount of airdiverted through the upstream duet for regulating the amount of spraysupplied to said passageway.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,907,045 Curtis May 2, 1933 2,073,009 Hersey et al. Mar. 9,1937 2,187,241 Kehle Ian. 16, 1940 2,304,644 Heftler Dec. 8, 1942

